His Hour

So there was no scandal, only commiseration, and both Countess Olga and

Tamara were petted and spoilt--while, if there was a roguish note in

Valonne's sympathetic condolences, none of them appeared to notice it.

However, no petting seemed to revive Tamara.

"You have caught a thorough chill, I fear, dearest,"

the Princess said; and as they had missed their sleeping berths engaged

for the night before, and were unable to get accommodation on the train

again for the night, they were forced to remain in Moscow until the

next day, so the Princess insisted upon her godchild going immediately

to bed, while the rest of the party settled down to bridge.

"It is a jolly thing, a snowstorm!" Lord Courtray said to Gritzko.

"Isn't it? 'Pon my soul I have never enjoyed the smell of cows and hay

so much in my life!"

But upstairs in the stiff hotel bedroom Tamara sobbed herself to sleep.